THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

THE PROCESS OF BREATHING

ASPHYXIA

Definition:

• A condition of severely deficient supply of oxygen to the body that arises from being unable to breathe normally.

Leads to:

• Unconsciousness

• Respiratory Arrest

• Cardiac Arrest

SPECIFIC CAUSES OF ASPHYXIA

• Choking

• Drowning

• Hanging

• Strangling

• Throttling

• Asthma

• Hyperventilation

• Swelling of throat tissues

• Chest injuries

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS OF ASPHYXIA

Signs:

• Air hunger

• Cyanosis

Symptoms:

• Dyspnea (also known as breathlessness)

TREATMENT FOR ASPHYXIA

• Remove cause

• Give air

CHOKING (CONSCIOUS CASUALTY)

Signs & Symptoms:

Mild obstruction

• Casualty able to speak, cough and breathe.

Complete obstruction

• Casualty unable to speak, cough or breathe and may become unconscious.

TREATMENT FOR CHOKING (HEIMLICH MANOEUVRE)

• Ask the casualty: “Are you choking?”

• If the casualty is breathing, encourage him or her to continue

coughing.

• Remove any obvious obstruction from the mouth.

• If casualty cannot breathe, start Heimlich Manoeuvre or Chest Thrust immediately.

• Stand behind the casualty and put your arms around the upper part of his or her abdomen.

• Ask the casualty to bend forward slightly.

• Clench your fist and place it (thumb inwards) between the navel and bottom of the breastbone.

TREATMENT FOR CHOKING (HEIMLICH MANOEUVRE)

• Grasp your fist with your other hand.

• Pull sharply inwards and upwards until the obstruction is cleared or the casualty becomes unconscious.

• After the obstruction is cleared, advise the casualty to see a doctor.

TREATMENT FOR CHOKING (HEIMLICH MANOEUVRE)

TREATMENT FOR CHOKING (CHEST THRUST)

This manoeuvre is applied for obese or pregnant casualty.

• Stand behind the casualty and place your fist (thumb inwards) at 2 fingers breath above the notch of the sternum.

• Grasp the fist with the other hand and perform backward thrusts.

• Continue until the obstruction is cleared or the casualty becomes unconscious.

DROWNING

• Death of drowning normally occurs when air cannot get into the lungs.

TREATMENT FOR DROWNING

• Carry casualty away from the water.

• Lay him on his back.

• Perform ABC Check.

• Prepare to resuscitate or perform CPR if necessary.

• Put casualty in recovery position.

• Call 995 for an ambulance.

• Remove wet clothing and protect casualty from cold.

HANGING, STRANGLING & THROTTLING

Recognition:

• A constricting article and marks around the neck.

• Rapid, distressed breathing.

• Impaired Consciousness.

• Grey-blue skin.

• Congestion of the face (prominent veins, tiny red spots on the face or on the white area of the eyes).

TREATMENT FOR HANGING, STRANGLING & THROTTLING

• Quickly remove any constriction.

• Check for ABC.

• Prepare to resuscitate or perform CPR if necessary.

• If breathing is present, put casualty in recovery position.

• Call 995 for an ambulance.

INHALATION OF FUMES

Remove casualty from danger before examination.

• Call 995 for an ambulance and related authority.

• Protect yourself first before entering the scene.

• Remove casualty from danger and into fresh air.

TREATMENT FOR INHALATION OF FUMES

• If casualty is unconscious, open airway, check breathing and

pulse.

• Prepare to resuscitate or perform CPR if necessary.

BREATHING DIFFICULTIES - HYPERVENTILATION

Excessive breathing increases oxygen intake and causes chemical changes that produce the symptoms of the condition.

Causes:

• Excitement

• Hysteria

• Other emotions

BREATHING DIFFICULTIES - HYPERVENTILATION

Recognition:

• Normal skin colour.

• Unnaturally fast, deep breathing.

• Attention seeking behaviour.

• Dizziness and Faintness

• Cramps in hands and feet.

BREATHING DIFFICULTIES - HYPERVENTILATION

Treatment:

• Firm reassurance.

• Encourage casualty to take slow, regular breaths.

• Instruct casualty to breathe in and out of a paper bag until symptoms disappear.

BREATHING DIFFICULTIES - ASTHMA

Breathing problem resulting from sudden or progressive narrowing of the airway.

Causes:

• Exercise

• Allergies e.g. pollen

• Cold air

• Some drinks

• Preservatives

• Anxiety / Emotional Stress

• Dust

• Food additives

• Stress

• Smoke

BREATHING DIFFICULTIES - ASTHMA

Recognition:

• Casualty may be sitting up.

• Moderate to severe breathing difficulty.

• Sometimes wheezing.

• Sometimes coughing.

• Possibly paleness, sweating, cyanosis of lips, ear lobes and fingertips.

• May be quiet.

• Possibly unconscious.

BREATHING DIFFICULTIES - ASTHMA

Treatment:

• Help casualty into a comfortable sitting position.

• Do not make the casualty lie down.

• Reassure casualty.

• Help in administering any medications that have been prescribed for the casualty.

BREATHING DIFFICULTIES - ASTHMA

Treatment:

• Ensure adequate fresh air.

• Ask casualty to breathe slowly and deeply.

• Seek medical aid.

• If casualty is unconscious, seek medical aid immediately.

• If casualty stops breathing or becomes unconscious, open airway, check breathing and pulse, and be ready to resuscitate if necessary.

• Dial 995 for an ambulance.